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Plate TectonicsTeacher’s Guide

Middle SchoolEditors:

Brian A. Jerome, Ph.D.Stephanie Zak Jerome

Assistant Editors:Sue Dier

Louise Marrier

Visual Learning Company 1-800-453-848125 Union Streetwww.visuallearningco.com Brandon, Vermont

Graphics:Dean Ladago

Fred Thodal

Plate Tectonics

Visual Learning Company 1-800-453-8481

2www.visuallearningco.com Visual Learning Company1-800-453-8481www.visuallearningco.com

Plate Tectonics

Use and Copyright:

The purchase of this video program entitles the user the right to reproduce or duplicate, in whole or in part, this teacher’s guide and the blackline master handouts for the purpose of teaching in conjunction with this video, Plate Tectonics. The right is restricted only for use with this video program. Any reproduction or duplication, in whole or in part, of this guide and student masters for any purpose other than for use with this video program is prohibited.

The video and this teacher’s guide are the exclusive property of the copyright holder. Copying, transmitting or reproducing in any form, or by any means, without prior written permission from the copyright holder is prohibited (Title 17, U.S. Code Sections 501 and 506).

Copyright © 2003

ISBN 1-59234-073-3

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Table of Contents

Page

A Message From our Company

National Standards Correlations

Student Learning Objectives

Assessment

Introducing the Video

Video Viewing Suggestions

Student Assessment and Activities

Video Script

Answers to Student Assessments

Answers to Student Activities

Assessment and Student Activity Masters

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ViewingClearances

The video and accompanying teacher’s guide are for instructional use only. In showing these programs, no admission charges are to be incurred. The programs are to be utilized in face-to-face classroom instructional settings, library settings, or similar instructional settings.

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Closed circuit rights are available, and are defi ned as the use of the program beyond a single classroom but within a single campus. Institutions wishing to utilize the program in multiple campuses must purchase the multiple campus version of the program, available at a slightly higher fee.

Discounts may be granted to institutions interested in purchasing programs in large quantities. These discounts may be negotiated with the Visual Learning Company.

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A Message fromour Company . . .

Dear Educator:

Thank you for your interest in the educational videos produced by the Visual Learning Company. We are a Vermont-based, family owned and operated business specializing in the production of quality educational science videos and materials.

We have a long family tradition of education. Our grandmothers graduated from normal school in the 1920’s to become teachers. Brian’s mother was an elementary teacher and guidance counselor, and his father was a high school teacher and superintendent. This family tradition inspired Brian to become a science teacher, and to earn a Ph.D. in education, and lead Stephanie to work on science educational programs at NASA.

In developing this video, accompanying teacher’s guide, and student activities, our goal is to provide educators with the highest quality materials, thus enabling students to be successful. In this era of more demanding standards and assessment requirements, supplementary materials need to be curricular and standards based - this is what we do!

Our videos and accompanying materials focus on the key concepts and vocabulary required by national and state standards and goals. It is our mission to help students meet these goals and standards, while experiencing the joy and thrill of science.

Sincerely,

Brian and Stephanie Jerome

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National StandardsCorrelationsNational Science Education Standards (Content Standards: 5-8, National Academy of Sciences, c. 1996)Earth and Space Science – Content Standard D: As a result of their activities in grades 5-8, all students should develop an understanding that:

• The solid earth is layered with a lithosphere; hot convecting mantle and dense, metallic core.• Lithospheric plates on the scales of continents and oceans constantly move at rates of centimeters per year in response to movements in the mantle. Major geological events, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain building result from these plate motions.• Some changes in the solid earth can be described as the “rock cycle”. Old rocks at the earth’s surface weather, forming sediments

that are buried, then compacted, heated, and often recrystallized into new rock. Eventually, those new rocks may be brought to the surface by the forces that drive plate motions, and the rock cycle continues.

Benchmarks for Science Literacy (Project 2061 – AAAS, c. 1993)The Physical Setting – Processes that Shape the Earth – (4C)

By the end of 12th grade, students should know that:• The solid crust of the earth - including both the continents and ocean basins consist of separate plates that ride on a denser, hot, gradually deformable layer of the earth. The crust sections move very slowly, pressing against one another in some places, pulling apart in other places. Ocean fl oor plates may slide under continental plates, sinking deep into the earth. The surface layers of these plates may fold,

forming mountain ranges.• Earthquakes often occur along the boundaries between colliding plates, and molten rock from below creates pressure that is released by volcanic eruptions, helping to build up mountains. Under the ocean basins, molten rock may well up between separating plates to create new ocean fl oor. Volcanic activity along the ocean fl oor may form undersea mountains, which can thrust above the ocean’s surface to become islands.

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Student Learning Objectives

Upon viewing the video and completing the enclosed student activities, students will be able to do the following:

• Describe Wegner’s theory of the Continental Drift.

• Explain how specifi c evidence including the geographic fi t of the continents provided support for Wegner’s Theory of Continental Drift.

• Describe how mid-ocean ridges make up the longest mountain ranges in the world.

• Describe the theory of sea-fl oor spreading.

• Explain how the discovery of ocean fl oor magnetic fi elds, relatively young oceanic rocks, and sea-fl oor spreading provided evidence supporting Wegner’s Theory of Continental Drift.

• Describe some of the characteristics of tectonic plates.

• Identify the Pacifi c Plate as the largest tectonic plate.

• Differentiate between divergent boundaries, convergent boundaries and transform boundaries.

• Differentiate between continental and oceanic plates.

• Defi ne the process of subduction.

• Identify where the majority of the earth’s new crust is found.

• Describe how convection currents may cause tectonic plate movement.

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Assessment

Preliminary Test:The Preliminary Test, provided in the Student Masters section, is an assessment tool designed to gain an understanding of student preexisting knowledge. It can also be used as a benchmark upon which to assess student progress based on the objectives stated on the previous pages.

Video Review:The Video Review, provided in the Student Masters section, can be used as an assessment tool or as a student activity. There are two main parts. The fi rst part contains questions titled “You Decide” that can be answered during the video. The second series of ten questions consists of a video quiz to be answered at the conclusion of the video.

Post-Test:The Post-Test, provided in the Student Masters section, can be utilized as an assessment tool following student completion of the video and student activities. The results of the Post-Test can be compared against the results of the Preliminary Test to assess student progress.

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Introducing the Video

Video Viewing Suggestions

Before viewing the video, show the class a map of the world. Ask thestudents to look carefully at the shapes of the continents, and record their observations. Next, discuss their observations: Did they notice that the continents look like pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle and may have even once fi t together? Continue the discussion by asking students if they think the continents moved and if so, how? Explain that over many years several scientifi c discoveries led to the present day theory of plate tectonics. Tell students to watch the video closely for further information about these discoveries. Also tell them to pay close attention to see how plate movement is related to earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building.

The student Master “Video Review” is provided for distribution to students. You may choose to have your students complete this Master while viewing the program or to do so upon its conclusion.

The program is approximately 20-minutes in length and includes a ten-question video quiz. Answers are not provided to the Video Quiz on the video, but are included in this teacher’s guide. You may choose to grade student quizzes as an assessment tool or to review the answers in class.

The video is content-rich with numerous vocabulary words. For this reason you may want to periodically stop the video to review and discuss new terminology and concepts.

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Plate Tectonics

Student AssessmentsAnd Activities

Assessment Masters:

• Preliminary Test

• Video Review

• Post-Test

Student Activity Masters:

• Diverging, Sliding and Colliding Plates

• Moving and Grooving Plates

• Crater Lake is Born

• Vocabulary of Plate Tectonics

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Plate Tectonics

Video Script:Plate Tectonics

1. Youʼve probably admired beautiful mountain landscapes.2. Perhaps you have seen pictures of a volcanic eruption.3. Or maybe you have witnessed steam streaming from the earth…4. … or even boiling water shooting out of the ground.5. Or maybe you have experienced an earthquake…6. … or seen a picture of the devastating damage earthquakes can cause.7. What do all these things have in common?8. All these exciting events are related to the dynamic movement of the earth.9. During the next few minutes we are going to explore some of earthʼs amazing forces

such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building. And weʼll examine how they are related to the earthʼs slowly moving surface.

10. Letʼs begin by taking a look at the earth from outer space.11. Graphic Transition – The theory of Continental Drift12. The view of earth from space shows a mostly blue planet dominated by water.13. …that water is interrupted by large pieces of solid land called continents.14. Look closer and the continents look like pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle. They even

appear to fi t together.15. People throughout the ages have wondered if this was a coincidence or if there was a

deeper explanation.16. Other questions perplexed scientists such as, “Why are fossils of the same organism

found on widely separated continents, which today have very different climates?”17. And why did the same types of rock appear on different continents thousands of miles

apart?18. In 1912, a scientist by the name of Alfred Wegner proposed a very innovative idea on

the origin of the continents.19. Building on the work of previous scientists, Wegner proposed that present day continents

once were joined together in a large super continent called Pangaea – which means all earth.

20. His theory stated that over time the continents drifted away from each other to their present day positions.

21. Wegner compiled several pieces of evidence to support this theory of continental drift.22. Perhaps the most convincing evidence was the geographic fi t of the continents.23. For example, notice how Africa and South America fi t together so well.24. Wegner also cited fossil evidence, stating that fossils of the same organism were found

on different continents – suggesting the landmasses were once connected.25. For example, a plant fossil called glossopteris was found on four different continents

including…26. Antarctica – an icy continent where this plant could not grow today.

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Script (cont.)27. Similar glacial effects on all fi ve continents further supported the notion the continents

were once connected.28. Rock structures and even mountain ranges which end abruptly at the edges of continents

and pick up on the edge of another continent also provided evidence.29. In spite of all the evidence proposed by Wegner, his theory of continental drift did not

gain widespread acceptance for several decades.30. Graphic Transition – New Evidence of Continental Drift31. Alfred Wegnerʼs theory of continental drift was not readily accepted for a variety of

reasons.32. Wegner could not explain how or why the continents drifted apart, or when this

occurred. 33. And, furthermore, how could the drifting continents plow through the solid ocean fl oor?34. In the 1940ʼs, 1950ʼs, and early 1960ʼs more remote regions of the earth were explored,

especially the oceans.35. New technologies such as deep diving submarines allowed scientists to explore, map and

take samples from the sea fl oor.36. Previously unknown valleys, mountains, and ridges were discovered.37. Of particular interest were underwater mountain ranges called mid-ocean ridges.38. You Decide! What is the longest mountain range in the world?39. Maps from the ocean fl oor revealed that mid-ocean ridges form the longest mountain

range in the world – over 80,000 kilometers in length.40. Explorers also discovered that tremendous volcanic activity occurred along mid-ocean

ridges in large cracks called rift valleys. 41. In the early 1960ʼs it was proposed that at the mid-ocean ridges the seafl oor was actually

separating.42. According to the theory of sea-fl oor spreading, the sea-fl oor is moving, and segments

of the sea-fl oor separate at mid-ocean ridges. This is where lava wells up from rifts, and forms a new ocean fl oor.

43. This was a key theory in that it helped explain how the continents moved.44. Scientists surmised that instead of the continents drifting, they actually rode on top of

drifting pieces of the ocean fl oor.45. As the ocean fl oor moves, it takes a continent with it.46. Rock samples from the sea fl oor added further evidence to support the theory of sea-

fl oor spreading.47. Scientists found ocean fl oor rocks to be relatively young, especially compared to rocks

found on the continents.48. This present day image illustrates the relative ages of sea fl oor rocks on the mid-Atlantic

ridge. The youngest rocks in red are located closest to the separating plates, and the older green rocks are located further away from the ridge.

49. Another piece of evidence supporting sea-fl oor spreading relates to the magnetic orientation of minerals in basaltic rocks found in the ocean fl oor.

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Script (cont.)50. Basaltic rocks emit a magnetic fi eld, which aligns itself with the poles of the earth.51. Scientists found that magnetic fi elds in the ocean fl oor basalt coincide with changes in

earthʼs magnetic orientation over time.52. Furthermore, scientists found a matching pattern of parallel magnetic stripes on either

side of the mid-ocean ridges. This indicates a new ocean crust was being added at the same rate, further supporting the notion of sea-fl oor spreading.

53. Graphic Transition – Theory of Plate Tectonics54. These amazing discoveries led scientists to elaborate even more on Wegnerʼs theory of

continental drift.55. Their fi ndings were incorporated into the new theory of plate tectonics.56. In the theory of plate tectonics, it is proposed that a number of tectonic plates ride across

the earthʼs surface.57. You Decide! What is a tectonic plate?58. Tectonic plates are made up of the crust and upper mantle, which, when combined make

up the lithosphere.59. The thickness of the plates can be compared to the thickness of the skin on this apple.60. Plates vary in thickness but average around 100 kilometers thick.61. The lithospheric plates are less dense than the hot, partially molten mantle below, and

“fl oat” on top of the denser asthenosphere…62. … much like ice fl oats on a lake.63. There are seven major lithospheric plates.64. In many cases, lithospheric plates carry continents.65. The largest plate is the Pacifi c Plate. 66. There are a number of other smaller plates, including the Juan de Fuca Plate located off

western North America.67. The way plates move in relation to each other is responsible for many of the exciting

geological events and features we experience on the earthʼs surface.68. Graphic Transition – Plates Colliding69. These mountains are part of the Cascade mountain range, a range of mountains running

from southern British Columbia…70. … through northern California. The Cascade range contains numerous volcanoes such

as Lassen Peak …71. … Mount Shasta…72. … the recently erupted Mount Saint Helens…73. …and even Crater Lake – the former site of a huge volcano which exploded, leaving this

large caldera which eventually fi lled in with water.74. You Decide! What force formed these volcanic mountains?75. The movement of lithospheric plates is responsible for forming these volcanic

mountains. 76. Geologic activity like earthquakes and volcanic activity typically occurs where these

plates meet, called plate boundaries.

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Script (cont.)77. As we already stated, plates are in a constant state of slow motion.78. Two plates interact with each other in one of three ways: they can move away from each

other; move toward each other; or. slide past each other.79. The arrows on this diagram of the lithospheric plates indicate the direction the plates are

moving at some plate boundaries.80. Off the coast of Oregon, Washington, and southern British Columbia…81. …is a small plate, called the Juan de Fuca plate. 82. The place where it meets the North American Plate is called a convergent boundary.83. A convergent boundary is a place where two plates collide.84. The Juan de Fuca plate is an oceanic plate and is denser than the continental North

American plate which overrides it.85. The process of one plate plunging beneath another is called subduction.86. As a result of this process, magma is forced to the surface leading to the formation of

volcanoes.87. Subduction zones are often referred to as destructive zones because the oceanic

lithosphere is destroyed in these areas where it is subducted.88. Deep-sea trenches are common characteristics found in subduction zones.89. The Japanese Islands are the result of magma being forced to the surface as a

consequence of subduction.90. Encircling the Pacifi c plate are areas of convergence leading to the formation of

volcanoes.91. For this reason the area is often referred to as the Ring of Fire.92. The Ring of Fire is also known for intense earthquake activity.93. When continents converge, as is the case of India and Asia colliding, mountains often

form.94. Along this convergence zone, the highest continental mountains in the world, the

Himalayas, were formed as the two plates collided and compressed up the crust. 95. This process is similar to pushing a carpet against a wall. See how folds are formed,

simulating the process by which mountains are formed by colliding plates.96. Graphic Transition – Diverging and Sliding Plates97. As we discussed earlier, scientists discovered that at many places on the ocean fl oor, the

sea fl oor is spreading.98. Sea-fl oor spreading is characterized by two plates moving away from each other. 99. A divergent plate boundary forms where plates are separating.100.Mid-ocean ridges are the result of plate divergence.101.Most of the earthʼs volcanic activity occurs along diverging plate boundaries.102.You Decide! Where is most of the earthʼs new crust found?103.Most of the earthʼs new crust is found on the ocean fl oors where molten rock rises

to the surface as plates separate. Divergent plate boundaries are often referred to as constructive regions because new crust is created.

104.A third type of plate boundary occurs where plates slide past each other.

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Script (cont.)105.This type of boundary is commonly referred to as a transform fault.106. and is characterized by shallow earthquakes, but little volcanic action.107.The San Andreas Fault is a transform fault boundary where the Pacifi c plate and North

American plate are sliding past each other.108.Scientists are not completely sure what causes the plates to move…109.…but they hypothesize that forces within the earth called convection currents drive plate

movement.110. Convection currents are movements of material caused by differences in temperature.111. Convection currents can be seen in this boiling water where the hot water rises from the

bottom then cools and sinks.112. If you were to bore into the earth, you would fi nd the temperature increases the deeper

you go.113. In the mantle, earth materials are very hot, existing in a plastic like state. 114. Nearer the surface, the cooler material sinks and in turn hotter material rises.115. This process is repeated forming a circular moving convection cell.116. It is believed that this circular motion causes the plates to move. 117. Graphic Transition – Land of Fire and Ice118. One of the most fascinating places to witness the power of tectonic plate movement is

Iceland.119. Located in the North Atlantic it is a country dominated by cold temperatures, glacial ice,

and volcanic activity.120. Iceland straddles the mid-Atlantic ridge.121.This rift separates the North American plate which is moving westward and the Eurasian

plate which is moving eastward.122.The combined effect of straddling diverging plates and sitting atop a hotspot make for

frequent volcanic eruptions…123.… and other geologic activity such as an abundance of hot springs.124. Iceland also has many geysers, which eject superheated water high into the air.125. Icelanders have developed ingenious ways to tap these forces and use geothermal energy

to fuel over 75% of their homes.126. It heats their greenhouses and even their outdoor swimming pools.127.They even use steam from deep underground to generate electricity in plants such as this

one.128.So while living atop the mid-Atlantic ridge has its dangers129.… these rugged people have managed to harness the powerful forces of nature to their

advantage. 130.Graphic Transition – Summing Up131.During the past few minutes we explored some of the theories, which help us, better

understand the dynamic geologic movements of our planet.132.We studied the theory of continental drift.

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Script (cont.)133.And how with the addition of more information the theory of plate tectonics developed. 134.The key aspects supporting the theory of plate tectonics were discussed, including the

discovery of mid-ocean ridges, sea-fl oor spreading, and geologic evidence from the sea fl oor.

135.We also took a quick look at how plates can interact with each other along plate boundaries,

136.…and how these interactions may be responsible for many exciting features.137.So the next time you see a mountain range…138.…hear about a volcanic eruption…139.…or see a picture of a geyser.140.Think about some of the amazing things we learned about plate tectonics.141.You just might look at the world a little differently.Fill in the correct word to complete the sentence. Good luck and let s̓ get started.1. Wegner introduced the idea of continental ____________.2. The largest mountain range in the world is the __________ ridge.3. Oceanic rocks are _________ than rocks on continents.4. Sea-fl oor spreading is the process of plates ____________.5. Tectonic plates consist of the _________ and the upper mantle.6. The largest plate is the ________ plate.7. A __________ boundary occurs where two plates collide.8. ___________ occurs when one plate thrusts under another.9. The San Andreas Fault is a ___________ fault.10. Iceland straddles the _________ ridge.

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Answers to Student Assessments

Preliminary Test (pgs. 20-21)

1. plate boundary2. lithosphere3. seven4. divergent plate5. Pacifi c Plate6. Alfred Wegner7. convection currents8. subduction9. rift valleys10. transform fault11. true12. false13. false14. true15. true16. true17. false18. true19. true20. false

Video Quiz (pg. 22)

1. drift2. mid-ocean3. younger4. separating 5. crust6. Pacifi c 7. convergent8. subduction9. transform10. mid-Atlantic

Video Review (pg. 22)

1. Mid-ocean ridges make up the longest mountain range in the world.2. Tectonic plates consist of the crust and upper mantle, which when combined make up the lithosphere.3. The movement of lithospheric plates is responsible for forming these volcanic mountains.4. Most of the earth’s new crust is found on the ocean fl oors where molten rock rises to the surface as plates separate.

Post Test (pgs. 23-24)

1. true2. false3. true4. true5. false6. false7. true8. true9. true10. false11. subduction12. seven13. Alfred Wegner14. transform fault15. plate boundary16. Pacifi c Plate17. lithosphere18. rift valleys19. divergent plate20. convection currents

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Answers to Student ActivitiesDiverging, Sliding and Colliding Plates (pg. 25)

Vocabulary (pg. 30)1. subduction, f2. plate boundary, i3. convergent boundary, a4. lithosphere, j5. plate tectonics, c6. transform fault, h7. convection currents, b8. oceanic plate, g9. divergent boundary, d10. continental plate, eMoving and Grooving Plates (pg. 27)

Landform Type of Bound-ary Movement

Plates Involved

Describe Movement (use paper as guide)

Mid-Atlantic Ridge divergent Eurasian and North American

San Andreas Fault transform fault Pacifi c and North American

Great Rift Valley divergent Somalia and African Plate

Andes convergent Nazca and South American

Cascade Mountains convergent Juan de Fuca andNorth American

Himalayan Mountains

convergent Eurasian and Indian

Crater Lake is Born (pg. 29)1. a strato or composite volcano2. convergent plate movement3. the Juan de Fuca Plate and the North American Plate4. a large depression centrally located in a volcano.

Moving and Grooving Plates (pg. 27)

1. The Pacifi c Plate is the largest plate.2. The theory of continental drift was supported by the fi t of the continents, fossil evidence, the geological similarities found on different continents, and other evidence.3. Plates interact by either colliding, sliding past each other or pulling apart.

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Plate Tectonics

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Assessmentand Student

ActivityMasters

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Preliminary TestDirections: Fill in the blank with the correct word. A list of possible answers is provided at the bottom of the page.

1. A ___________ __________ is the place where plates meet.

2. Tectonic plates consist of the crust and upper mantle, and when combined make up the ___________.

3. There are __________ major lithospheric plates on the earth.

4. A __________ __________ boundary forms where plates are separating.

5. The __________ __________ is the largest plate.

6. __________ __________ theorized that present day continents once were joined together in a large continent.

7. __________ __________ are movements of material caused by differences in temperature.

8. ___________ is the process of one lithospheric plate descending under another.

9. Volcanic activity occurrs along mid-ocean ridges in large cracks called ____________ ____________.

10. A boundary where two plates slide by each other is called a ______________ ______________.

sevendivergent plateasthenosphereAfrican Platetenconvection currentsAlfred WegnerHarry Hess

Pacifi c Platerift valleysfi vesubductiontransform faultlithosphereplate boundary

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Preliminary Test

11. When lithospheric plates meet, volcanoes are often formed.

12. Tectonic plates are in a constant state of swift motion. 13. Mid-ocean ridges are the result of plate convergence. 14. Newly formed rocks can be found on the ocean fl oor. 15. Rocks on the ocean fl oor containing iron emit a magnetic fi eld. 16. A plant fossil called glossopteris was found on

numerous continents.

17. Scientists have discovered that the ocean fl oor is totally fl at. 18. The mid-ocean ridge is over 80,000 kilometers in

length.

19. Continents ride on top of tectonic plates. 20. Sea-fl oor spreading is characterized by two adjacent plates moving toward each other.

Directions: Decide whether the answer is True (T) or False (F).

T F

T F

T F

T F

T F

T F

T F

T F

T F

T F

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Video ReviewDirections: During the course of the program, answer the “You Decide” questions as they are presented in the video. Answer the Video Quiz questions at the end of the video.

You Decide:1. What is the longest mountain Answer ________________ range in the world?

2. What is a tectonic plate? Answer ________________

3. What force formed these volcanic Answer ________________ mountains?

4. Where is most of earth’s new crust Answer ________________ found?

Video Quiz:1. Wegner introduced the idea of continental __________________.

2. The largest mountain range in the world is the ______________ ridge.

3. Oceanic rocks are ____________ than rocks on continents.

4. Sea-fl oor spreading is the process of plates _______________.

5. Tectonic plates consist of the _______________ and the upper mantle.

6. The largest plate is the _____________________ plate.

7. A _____________________ boundary occurs where two plates collide.

8. ____________________ occurs when one plate thrusts under another.

9. The San Andreas Fault is a ___________________ fault.

10. Iceland straddles the _____________________ ridge.

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Post Test

Directions: Decide whether the answer is True (T) or False (F).

1. A plant fossil called glossopteris was found on numerous continents.

2. Sea-fl oor spreading is characterized by two adjacent plates moving toward each other.

3. Newly formed rocks can be found on the ocean fl oor. 4. When lithospheric plates meet, volcanoes are often formed.

5. Scientists have discovered that the ocean fl oor is totally fl at.

6. Mid-ocean ridges are the result of plate convergence. 7. Continents ride on top of tectonic plates. 8. Rocks on the ocean fl oor containing iron emit a magnetic fi eld.

9. The mid-ocean ridge is over 80,000 kilometers in length.

10. Tectonic plates are in a constant state of swift motion.

T F

T F

T F

T F

T F

T F

T F

T F

T F

T F

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Post TestDirections: Fill in the blank with the correct word. Choose from the list of possible answers at the bottom of the page.

11. _______________ is the process of one lithospheric plate descending under another.

12. There are ___________________ major lithospheric plates on the earth.

13. ____________ ___________ theorized that present day continents once were joined together in a large continent.

14. A boundary where two plates slide by each other is called a _____________ ______________.

15. A ____________ ___________ is the place where plates meet.

16. The ______________ ______________ is the largest plate.

17. Tectonic plates consist of the crust and upper mantle, and when combined make up the ______________________.

18. Volcanic activity occurs along mid-ocean ridges in large cracks called ______________ ______________.

19. A ___________ ___________ boundary forms where plates are separating.

20. ______________ ______________ are movements of material caused by differences in temperature.

Harry Hesssevenasthenospheredivergent platePacifi c Platetransform faultrift valleyssubduction

fi veplate boundarylithosphereAlfred WegnertenAfrican Plateconvection currents

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Diverging, Sliding and Colliding PlatesObjectives: Students will demonstrate the movement of convergent, divergent and transform plate boundaries.

Background: The tectonic plates are comprised of the earth’s crust and part of the upper mantle, also referred to as the lithosphere. The layer below the lithosphere is a hot, semi-liquid layer called the asthenosphere. The lithospheric plates (also called tectonic plates) fl oat over the asthenosphere, much like ice fl oats on a lake. When plates move, they form features such as volcanoes and mountains, and cause earthquakes. Two plates can interact in three possible ways. Plates that move away from each other form divergent boundaries. Sea-fl oor spreading is the result of divergent boundaries. The mid-Atlantic ridge was created as a result of the North American and Eurasian plates diverging. Another example of divergent boundary movement is the Great Rift Valley in East Africa. As the Somalia Plate slowly moves away from the larger African Plate the rift valley is being enlarged.

Convergent boundaries occur when two plates move toward each other and collide, causing earthquakes and mountain building. During convergent collisions subduction often occurs. Subduction is the process of a denser plate thrusting under a less dense plate. Volcanic mountains such as the Cascade Mountains were formed when the denser Juan de Fuca Plate was subducted under the less dense North American Plate. Similarly, the Andes Mountain Range was formed when the Nazca Plate slid under the South American Plate. The formation of the Himalayan Mountains, the tallest mountains on earth, occurred as a result of plates colliding. They formed when the denser Indian Plate collided with the Eurasian Plate. The compression forced the land upward and is still forcing the Himalayas to continue to rise today.

When plates slide by each other in the same direction at different speeds or in the opposite direction transform faults are formed. Earthquakes can occur along these boundaries. Earthquakes frequently occur along the San Andreas Fault as the Pacifi c Plate slides past the North American Plate.

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NamePlate Tectonics

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Diverging, Sliding and Colliding PlatesActivity: Students will demonstrate plate boundary movement.

Material: One piece of 8 1/2 x 11 paper cut in two for each student, copy of the boundary table, and a world map.

Directions: 1) Fill in the boundary table. Use the paper to demonstrate each type of plate boundary movement. 2) After the table is completed locate each area on a world map.

Landform Type of Boundary Movement

Plates Involved

Describe Movement (use paper as guide)

Mid-Atlantic Ridge

San Andreas Fault

Great Rift Valley

Andes

Cascade Mountains

Himalayan Mountains

Boundary Table

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Moving and Grooving PlatesObjectives: The students will locate and identify major and minor tectonic plates. The students will identify and label divergent, convergent, and transform plate boundaries.

Background: Look closely at a world map. The continents appear to be pieces of a giant puzzle. In 1912, Alfred Wegener proposed that the present day continents were once joined together as a large single continent called Pangaea - which means “all the earth”. Wegener theorized that over time the continents drifted away from each other, until they arrived in their present positions. Wegener’s theory of continental drift was supported by the fi t of the continents, fossil evidence, and other geologic similarities found on different continents. This evidence supported the theory that the continents moved, but not why or how they moved. New scientifi c theories such as sea-fl oor spreading provided additional evidence to support Wegener’s theory of continental drift. Sea-fl oor spreading is when the sea fl oor moves by spreading apart at mid-ocean ridges.

Continental drift and sea-fl oor spreading provided scientists with the framework for the theory of plate tectonics. Scientists surmised that instead of the continents drifting, they actually rode on top of moving ocean fl oor pieces. As the ocean fl oor moves it takes a continent along with it. The earth’s surface is actually divided into many moving plates. The plates make up the earth’s lithosphere layer which contains the earth’s crust and part of the upper mantle.

Plates continually move at differing rates and directions. Plate movements cause three types of interactions at plate boundaries. When plates collide or move toward each other, they form convergent boundaries. Plates that pull apart or move away from each other form divergent boundaries. Two plates that move or slide past each other form transform fault boundaries.

Materials: Map of tectonic plates indicating boundary type and three colored pencils.

Directions: 1. Label the tectonic plates listed below the map using a provided map 2. Use the colored pencils to label each boundary type (see key).

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Moving and Grooving Plates

Questions:1. Which plate is the largest?

2. What evidence supported the theory of continental drift?

3. What are the three ways boundaries interact?

1) Label the following: Pacifi c Plate, North American Plate, South American Plate, Antarctic Plate, Eurasian Plate, Australian Plate, African Plate, Juan de Fuca Plate, Philippines Plate, Nazca Plate, Scotia Plate, Indian Plate, Arabian Plate, Caribbean Plate, Cocos Plate, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Somalia Plate.

2) Mark one of each of the following boundaries on the map: convergent, divergent, and transform fault using the key above and the colored pencils.

KEY

Divergent Convergent Transform Fault

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Crater Lake is BornImagine you are a young member of the Klamath or Modoc Native American tribes approximately 7,700 years ago. You and a friend are out gathering food when suddenly the ground shakes, then the sky becomes dark and pieces of pumice and ash begin to rain down on you. Fire is in the sky and all around you. What is happening? Is it the end of the world or angry spirits? Actually, the most explosive volcanic eruption in North America since the ice age was occurring right before your eyes!

Scientifi c evidence and Klamath legends provide clues to what actually occurred thousands of years ago. Volcanoes began to form eons ago as the Juan de Fuca oceanic plate and the North American continental plate collided. During the collision the Juan de Fuca plate was subducted under the North American plate. Subduction occurs when a heavier, denser plate slides or sinks beneath a less dense plate. Over time a chain of volcanic mountains formed called the Cascade Range. Mount Mazama located in Oregon was the site of a huge volcanic eruption thousands of years ago. Mt. Mazama is a strato volcano or composite volcano which formed a caldera. A caldera is a large depression formed as a result of a volcano collapsing. When Mt. Mazama erupted, a huge volume of earth material blew out of the volcano. The magma chamber was emptied when the volcano erupted. The volcano had no inner structure left to support the weight of the mountain, and it collapsed. A large caldera formed on top of the collapsed mountain. Over the years the caldera fi lled with rainwater and snowfall forming a beautiful, deep blue lake we know today as Crater Lake.

Questions: 1. What type of volcano was Mt. Mazama?

2. What type of plate movement formed Mt. Mazama?

3. What plates were involved in forming the Cascade Mountains?

4. What is a caldera?

References: Harris, H.L. (1998). Agents of Chaos. Missoula: Mountain Press Publishing Company.Warfi eld, R.G., Juillerat, L & Smith, L. (1999). Crater Lake The Story Behind the Scenery. Las Vegas: KC Publications, Inc.

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Vocabulary of Plate TectonicsDirections: Unscramble the vocabulary words in the fi rst column. Match thewords to the defi nitions in the second column.

____1) duciontbus _____________

____2) teapl ______________ darynoub

____3) genvertcon _____________ ybnoudar

____4) eretholsphi _____________

____5) atelp _______________ cttenosci

____6) rmofsnart ______________ ultfa

____7) ectnoinovc _____________ entsrrcu

____8) eicnaoc _______________ telpa

____9) ergeivdtn ______________ unaobdyr

____10) ilanenttcon _____________ aelpt

a. a boundary where two plates move together and collide.

b. movements of material caused by differences in temperature.

c. the theory that a number of lithospheric plates ride across the earth’s surface.

d. a boundary where two plates move away from each other.

e. plate that consists primarily of the earth’s outer crust.

f. the process of one lithospheric plate descending under another.

g. a plate that consists primarily of oceanic crust and little or no continental crust.

h. a plate boundary where the plates slide past each other.

i. the place where plates meet each other.

j. the outer layer of the earth which includes the crust and uppermost part of the mantle.

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